DNA TESTING & YOUR ANCESTORS

May 7,2001	

I have been working with an Internet group of genealogists for the past several years. We have been researching all branches of the Cracroft family tree. This includes: Cracraft, Creacraft, Crecraft, Craycroft, etc. In almost all cases we are able to show that these various lines in America are all related. It is believed that they all ultimately originated in Lincolnshire, England as Cracroft. The English Cracroft genealogy is well documented and published (*).

Recently DNA testing is getting a lot of publicity in the genealogy area (ie Thomas Jefferson's children). We have found a reputable DNA testing laboratory that can be accessed via the Internet. What their testing addresses is whether we come from a common ancestor. An English researcher has reported that the English Cracroft line descends from one Ragemar ca 1050. Regardless, if we all do have a common ancestor this testing will tell us.

The results of the Y-Chromosome DNA testing (the chromosome passed on from father to son), is kept strictly confidential by this laboratory. If you sign a waiver, they will tell you and anyone else who submits a sample, that you share a common ancestor. If you do not share a common ancestor with anyone else, then no information is shared. No other detail of the testing is revealed to anyone but you. The testing does not look for anything else in your dna except your ancestral heritage. Also, your name remains strictly confidential!

The testing consists simply of taking a "swab" from the inside of the cheek. No more painful than brushing your tongue with  a toothbrush. The swab sample is mailed to their laboratory with results within 4-6 weeks. The testing is a bit pricey. $219. However, I feel it is worth it if we can get enough interested male descendents from all the various lines tested and prove that we all share a common ancestor-or disprove it!

If you are from a Cra(y)cra(o)ft or Creacraft line which is not currently represented in our testing program, we will pay for your testing. Please contact me to see if you fall in this category.

If you would like to participate or know more about the laboratory, FAQ (frequently asked questions) and DNA testing in general, their website is at: 

http://www.familytreedna.com/      or you may contact me directly at danteonline@ameritech.net


My lineage:
DANNIE LEE CRAYCRAFT  (DONALD BRANT, CHARLES ABNER, WILLIAM HARRISON, JOHN, JOHN, CHARLES CRACRAFT, CAPT., SAMUEL, JOSEPH ?).  (Joseph Cracraft ca 1720) 

(*) See Burke's Landed Gentry for the Cracroft genealogy.


Dan L. Craycraft

Note: there is also testing of the female descendent line but the test results are a little more complicated. See their FAQ's on this subject or contact me for more information on what can be learned from female testing.